history maker
Rafael Nadal storms to 14th French Open and record 22nd Grand Slam title in straight-sets demolition of Casper Ruud
THERE are very few certainties these days in life – except perhaps when it comes to Rafa Nadal wielding a tennis racket at the French Open.
For the 14th time in 18 attempts, the relentless Spaniard is once more the King of Clay at Roland Garros – and aptly enough it comes on the 17-year anniversary of his first-ever triumph.
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His is one of the most astonishing records ever witnessed in professional sport with 112 wins from 115 matches played at this tournament.
Few people have enjoyed such incredible levels of dominance in the confines of one arena.
And on a Jubilee weekend where royalty has been rightly commemorated and celebrated, it seemed fitting that Nadal should saviour yet another clay-court coronation.
The latest victim, the 74th opponent he has faced on red Parisian clay, was the Norwegian rookie Casper Ruud, who was outgunned and bullied off court 6-3 6-3 6-0 on Sunday afternoon.
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In front of the King of Spain Felipe VI, Nadal never tires of that moment of lifting the Coupes des Mousquetaires above his head and taking a bite out of the handle for the cameras.
At the age of 36 – the birthday candles were blown out last Friday – Mallorca man Nadal has surpassed fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno (1972) by two years as the oldest men’s singles champion in Paris in history.
Significantly, he is halfway towards the calendar Slam having won the Australian Open and French Open in the same year for the first time.
And of course, this is his 22nd career singles slam, which puts him two ahead of great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the race to finish as the Greatest Of All Time.
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While it is easy to take these Nadal victories for granted, they should be thoroughly cherished as he will not be around forever.
Indeed, this final was overshadowed by rumours and concerns that this could be his last appearance on his favourite court.
With the help of painkillers, Nadal has to manage a chronic left foot injury that gives him daily pain and makes him question how long he has left to give.
And after moving two singles majors shy of Margaret Court’s record tally in the women’s game, he said: “It’s difficult to describe the feelings I have now.
“I never believed I would be here at 36, being competitive again, playing in the most important court of my career one more time.
“It means everything. It means a lot of energy to keep going. I don’t know what is going on in the future. I will keep fighting to keep going.
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“It is amazing the things that are happening this year. Without my team and family this would not be possible, especially in the tough moments in terms of injuries.
“Without you I would have been retired much before."
It is just a shame that Ruud, playing in a maiden final at the at age of 23, did not make this more competitive as Nadal won a seventh title out of 14 in straight sets.
The Oslo slugger, who enrolled in the Rafa Nadal Academy as a teenager, was undone in game four of the first set – instead of levelling-up at 2-2 after being 40-30 up he fell 3-1 behind.
Nadal, who was usually rewarded when he came to the net, took the first set in 51 minutes and from that moment there was no looking back.
Once Ruud was 2-0 down in sets, it was like trying to climb Mount Everest while wearing flip-flops – it really was the “impossible task” as he had forecast.
The third set became a real anti-climax as Nadal went through the motions in front of his adoring fans, who started singing Viva España and held aloft their Spanish flags.
'TRUE INSPIRATION'
When a backhand went down the line, Nadal dropped his racket and Court Philippe-Chatrier, which was now bathed in brilliant sunlight, rose as one to celebrate the King.
Ruud knew the magnitude of the moment as he said: “The most important thing is to congratulate Rafa.
"It’s your 14th time here and 22nd in all of the Grand Slams.
“We all know what a champion you are. I got to feel what it is like to play you in a final. I’m not the first victim!
“You took me into your academy. You are a true inspiration to all of us around the world. We all hope you will continue for some more time.”
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Nadal in turn said: “Casper, it’s a real pleasure to play a final with you.
“Congratulations on an amazing career you are having. These two weeks will be an important step forward. All the best for the future.”
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